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Best Online Casinos Licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority
Malta is a tiny island country situated south of Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. Once a British colony, Malta received independence in 1964 and is now an independent member of the European Union. The British penchant for gambling must have rubbed off on this little island, as Malta has become one of the top EU online gambling hubs in the world.
The country was the first jurisdiction in the world to regulate online gambling with its Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence.
By the end of 2016, 11.6% of Malta’s revenue was churned in by the gambling industry, with more than 500 gambling licences having been issued at the time to various remote casino operators. This has done wonders for the employment rate of the country, where more than 6,000 full-time jobs are a direct result of the industry, with close to 3,000 more associated with the business.
As one of the top names in the regulated online gambling industry, Malta Gaming Authority offers a safe and secure gambling environment for both players and casino operators.
Hi, I'm Deni! I'm a research obsessive with a passion for gambling regulations, market trends, and casino news. I dig deep into every topic I cover - so every article, review, or guide I write is built on solid research and real detail.
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CasinoEuro is a top-flight online casino owned by the BML Group and a part of the famous and prestigious Betsson Group, alongside sister casino sites, like Betsafe and Betsson.
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Owned by BML Group, Betsson has 60 years of experience in the gambling industry, which places them in the prime position to know what gamers need most in the betting industry.
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The Malta Gaming Authority offers safe and fair gambling to over 180 jurisdictions, ensuring that it remains a benchmark in casino and lottery regulation.
MGA can be slow in answering player complaints directly
No single self exclusion service
Decreasing use of MGA licences due to local regulations by specific countries
Contents
Contents
Malta Gaming Authority Details
WOW Score: 86/100Trusted by Top Casino BrandsHigh Operational Compliance
Gambling Regulation
While some countries view gambling as a bad practice and ban it, other countries see the positive potential in the industry and rather regulate it well. The objective is to eliminate the negative risks and ensure that it remains a great revenue stream and an optimum entertainment environment. For this reason, many jurisdictions around Europe and the Americas have installed gambling regulatory oversights in place to ensure that fairness and fun are the order of the day.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) was formed in 2001, as a part of Malta’s ‘Lotteries and Other Games’ Act.
Its legislation was put in place with the express purpose of ensuring a fair and transparent player experience, protecting vulnerable players and preventing crime associated with gambling, such as money laundering.
Since its inception, MGA has built a brand of rigid strength that boasts premium regulatory practices. The MGA has become an industry benchmark, providing a structure and ethos that many other jurisdictional regulators aspire to replicate. Currently, the MGA jurisdiction includes more than 180 countries worldwide.
Why We Rated MGA with WOW LicenceScore (WLS) 86/100
Most of the Tier-1 regulators are synonymous with safe play and fair gambling. The Malta Gaming Authority is the first one of them that comes to mind for most players. Having an MGA stamp of approval means this is a safe place to spend time and money.
That's because operators have to meet stringent requirements to get one. All this earns MGA one of the higher WLS ratings we've given. Find out our reasoning below:
Player Protection & RG - 88/100 - MGA is famous for its strict requirements and high hoops for operators to jump through. Player protection and RG measures are a key part of those rules, which is reflected in the high score of 88 out of 100.
- National self-exclusion (Strong) - MGA includes a mandatory self-exclusion option in its requirements for licensed operators. The process is very well explained on its website. However, there still isn't a single centralised service for exclusion from all casinos, which takes away from the high score.
- Mandatory tools (Excellent) - MGA is a benchmark for the industry with its strong focus on RG measures and tools. These include deposit and wagering limits as well as reality checks, autoplay rules, etc.
- Affordability/SoF controls (Strong) - Annual fees and taxes depend on the operator's revenue (but can go no higher than 5%), which makes it pretty accessible. However, the initial process of acquiring a license is really complex, time-consuming and costly, hence the score.
- Player funds protection (Excellent) - Player funds are protected with strict rules, though no mandatory insurance is required.
Enforcement & Supervision - 90/100 - Years of experience translate to expert enforcement of rules and supervision of licensees. This earns MGA another excellent score.
- Deterrence track record (Excellent) - There is a strong record of issuing timely fines and penalties for non-compliant operators.
- Audit cadence & resourcing (Strong) - The authority requires licensees to undergo regular or ad hoc audits. Even more so, they should be conducted by an approved service provider. For this purpose, MGA has published a detailed list of approved companies and resources.
- Publicity of actions (Excellent) - MGA is open and transparent about its actions, operations, and updates, evident by the timely published data, reports, and detailed information on its website.
Licensing Standards - 90/100 - MGA is one of the most desired and reputable licenses in the industry. That wouldn't be the case if its standards weren't up to par.
- Fit & proper (Excellent) - There are different committees for ensuring compliance with requirements and implementing certain checks (like UBO checks or compliance staff overview). For example, the AML Sterling Committee takes care of maintaining the effectiveness of the AML and CFT framework.
- Operational controls (Strong) - The authority has created great reporting mechanisms, which include reports of internal control systems or any data/security issues.
- Entry bar clarity (Excellent) - Requirements are clear and the licensing process is straightforward and explained in detail. However, some applicants complain about slow processing times (it takes about half a year to get licensed by the MGA).
Testing & Game Integrity - 85/100 - Strict policies are also in place when it comes to game certification and testing, evident by yet another great score.
- Approved labs & scope (Strong) - The regulator has shared a list of approved testing labs and companies for RNG certifications, audits, and reports.
- RTP policy (Strong) - MGA's requirements include good and detailed RTP policies for all licensees.
- Change management (Strong) - Changes should be documented and if they are significant enough, submitted for approval and recertification.
Transparency & Guidance - 85/100 - MGA's website and reports are a heaven for those in search of information, especially when you compare them to those of other regulators. There's still room for improvement, as it can be harder to navigate through all the pages, but we found no major issues in our research.
- Clarity of rulebooks (Strong) - Documents and rulebooks are detailed and structured in an accessible and clear way.
- Public registers (Excellent) - Public records are accessible, including lists of licensees, status history, additional information, or company reports.
- Update velocity (Strong) - An established regulator with such a strong framework needs more time to update its rules or guidelines. Changes are still taking place, but they can be slower at times compared to other authorities.
Banking & Crypto Compliance - 55/100 - A comparatively higher score for a Tier-1 regulator, but there's obviously a lot more to be desired.
- Clarity & safeguards for crypto/open-banking (Limited) - Safeguards are in place, but clarity and openness need more work, especially since MGA claims it accepts applications from crypto casinos, but there are still none licensed by it.
Licensing
Unlike the UK Gaming Commission, MGA licences do not distinguish between games played, nor the different technologies used to play the games at casinos and betting institutions. This means that one application and purchase cover online casinos for the full array of online betting options.
Keep in mind: Receiving your MGA approved licence is no walk in the park though and involves a heavy cost and a rigorous vetting process. Quality is never cheap, so we cannot expect that receiving this type of certification could ever be so menial.
The fixed annual licence fee of €25,000 is charged on full B2C (business to consumer) licences, whereas operators are offering the only Type 4 controlled skill games will need to pay €10,000 annually.
The requirements involved for the application can be summarised into the several points below:
The operator must supply all financial records and personal background for information processing. This will involve audited financial statements and bank records.
Any criminal history must be submitted, if applicable.
If an individual is involved in commercial or other legal dealings, these must be presented to the board.
The software platform must be presented to the MGA up to 6 months before going live on the Malta network so that all software can be thoroughly tested before launch.
After approval is done, all gambling vendors must sign a contract, binding them to uphold every regulation stipulated in the legislation of the regulator. The criteria outlined in the agreement are summarised as follows:
All software must continuously conform to internationally accepted standards.
Casino platforms cannot be used for criminal activities of any nature.
Players must be treated fairly, and responsible gambling practices must be observed on sites.
Winnings must be paid out in accordance with interactive gaming and wagering laws.
All licence holders, their staff, associates and other partners must meet corporate and personal standards of integrity.
In March 2026, MGA shared this year's supervising priorities by publishing the Supervisory Engagement Efforts.
The document touches on MGA's goals and upcoming efforts that are to be structured around three themes: compliance, player protection and sports betting integrity.
The priorities list down stricter oversight of payment methods and their influence on players, including crypto assets, reviews on risks connected to sports betting, such as internal gambling, better and more accessible player protection measures, etc.
Good to Know: MGA launched the first dedicated AI governance framework to better protect players. As AI use grows immensely in the industry, MGA was the first regulator to take regulatory action in this regard. Its main goal is to ensure that AI is used to strengthen player welfare instead of the other way around.
In May 2026, the authority also launched a public consultation on a proposed AI Gaming Charter. Its primary goal is the ethical and responsible use of AI across the industry, with a focus on counselling operators on using AI across services such as fraud prevention, customer support, and marketing campaigns.
It all goes to show just how serious MGA is about player protection and proper licensing. The latest proof comes just before the FIFA World Cup 2026, when the regulator issued a formal notice to its licensees to strengthen measures and monitoring of betting activity.
This edition of the tournament is projected to surpass over $60 billion in regulated bets, so MGA is acting beforehand by calling for heightened vigilance throughout it.
Taxation
The dreaded word is sometimes enough to bring a cold shiver to businesses in every industry, everywhere, unless you’re in Malta.
Gambling operators are less influenced by international capital markets because of Malta’s position within the Eurozone. This is one of the primary reasons why the little country that is smaller than London, Paris, or Rome is such a prominent iGaming hub, holding 10% of the world’s online gambling operations.
The tax rate for businesses in Malta works on a scale, where no operator will pay more than 5% of their total revenues in a year.
Benefits for MGA Operators
When reading through the above content, certain things start to stick out as real advantages for operators owning MGA licenses. Together with some other fine points, here is a list of the advantages as we see them:
One license application allows the operator to offer any form of online gambling to its clients. It provides more business freedom and allows sites to offer far more versatile entertainment, which is, of course, far better for business.
The lower tax tariffs are a huge advantage for operators who will often be bringing in multiple millions of dollars in revenues on a monthly basis.
The MGA is not only a public protector but also a tight platform that gives operators a sense of security and protection from public abuse, etc. The MGA is a big advocate of resolution within the casino environment, before bringing any issues to them.
Benefits of MGA Casinos for Players
Playing at an MGA-licensed casino comes with perks. These include:
1Fair Gaming and Recourse
Should an operator mistreat you and you have exhausted all options with the management involved, then you can contact the MGA to take the matter further. This provides players with real peace of mind when playing, knowing that they should not be defrauded at a casino carrying the Malta Gaming Authority mark.
2Responsible Gambling Protection
Maltese licensed casinos are obligated to adhere to certain forms of vulnerable player protection. They have certain legislation in place obligating casinos to prevent underage gambling and to identify and aid problem gambling on their sites.
3First-Rate Software
Because of the strict vetting process of casino platforms, players can be assured of smooth sailing from a software perspective. MGA games also boast some of the best provisions of all jurisdictions, with giants in the industry, such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO and others holding licences here.
4Game Selection
Because MGA casinos are not restricted to game platforms or game titles under their licenses, gamblers can expect a rich selection of games across all genres, playable on both mobile and desktop/laptop devices.
Good to know: The regulator places the utmost importance on protection. It recently published a Self-Assessment Tool online designed to help players review their gambling behaviour and take measures if needed.
Best Online Casino Operators in Malta
Though there are more than just a handful of MGA-licensed casino operators, players could always benefit from a helping hand in choosing where to start. Below is a helpful list of 5 sterling MGA-licensed casino operators who are guaranteed to be top providers in the business.
This casino has catered to the gambling industry since 2006. Operated by the Betsson group, Betsafe has grown to become one of the biggest and most user-friendly online casinos in the world.
Started in 2012, Casumo has become one of the most recognizable casino brands around. Always leading the way when it comes to bonuses, you can enjoy thrilling entertainment from over 1000 game titles.
CasinoEuro is a top online casino provider since 2002 and with such a big experience behind them, they know what the customer wants. With over 1000 casino games, from various game providers, and a rich choice of currencies, this brand will definitely not disappoint.
A well-known brand 888, that operates in many countries and offers premium quality entertainment. An amazing choice of payment methods and games and very professional 24/7 customer support.
SlotsMagic offers a great game spread and is licensed in both Malta and the UK. Play more than 700 games in over 20 languages and 10 currencies, for premium entertainment.
Malta is surely the capital of all things regarding online betting. The MGA licence ensures that the casino operator that you are visiting conforms to optimal international standards. The level of entertainment at such casinos is usually out of the top draw, offering the player the best time possible, with decent protection to go with it.
The MGA is not a passive regulating body but tends to be a pioneer in the gambling industry. As such, they are also offering fully regulated crypto online casinos under their banner. This is most certainly exciting for the iGaming industry.
Malta Gaming Authority FAQ
MGA licensees are required to give you clear and accessible information on how to make a complaint if you are not satisfied, including timescales and how to escalate the complaint. If you experience any difficulties with an online gaming operator licensed by MGA, you should refer the complaint and all relevant facts to the MGA’s Player Support Unit found on their Support page where you can fill in a form with all details.
The Malta Gaming Authority accepts applications to start using blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies within their platforms. Because MGA allows cryptocurrency payments, you can pay with cryptocurrencies at MGA casinos.
The process can be very time consuming, usually a minimum of 6 months. Receiving your MGA approved licence involves a heavy cost and probably the most rigorous vetting process amongst all licensing jurisdictions worldwide. It is for this reason that the MGA licence is one of the industry’s most widely recognised licences.
The MGA enforces regulations and protocols to ensure that its licensees provide a transparent, fair, and safe gaming service. Licensees must provide access to the complaint escalation process, must hold players’ funds and personal information in a secure manner, and must adhere to protocols for handling players’ voluntary limits and self-exclusion, as well as under-age gambling.
To self-exclude, you must sign a form provided by the operator, choosing how long you want the ban to last - 1-year, 5-years or for life, and to which operators’ sites this is to apply. You may also set limits on your deposit amount, per day, per week or month. There is no single service yet for exclusion from all MGA licensed casinos.
To obtain a gambling licence with the Malta Gambling Authority, there are several taxes and obligatory payments. The license fee is €25,000 and a request for the application processing costs €2,300. Annual license renewal costs €1,500. These are average figures but may vary slightly for different licensees, depending on their requirements.
The MGA gambling licence is used mainly in EU countries, as Malta has become one of the top EU online gambling hubs in the world. A Malta iGaming online gambling licence may be used in all countries that don’t have any local prohibition on gaming. Currently, the MGA jurisdiction includes more than 180 countries worldwide.
Malta is a popular country in which to base online gambling companies for many reasons. It has adopted the world-accepted Euro as its currency. Geographically well-positioned, it has a diverse, highly skilled and multilingual workforce to serve the globalised gambling industry. The tax rate for business is very favourable, at no more than 5% of total revenues.
More useful info about the Malta Gaming Authority
Below you'll find some related news articles, guides and other related content that you may find useful. We want you to have all the insights and information on the regulator, so check this out:
Here are some other top-rated gambling regulating bodies that you may want to check out. Browse through these licenses and regulators and learn more about how the online gambling industry works.
The UKGC provides the strictest and fairest gambling regulation, ensuring British customer protection and satisfaction. Explore our ratings of the UKGC.
The Jersey Gambling Commission provides world-class regulatory oversight for gambling operators based on the European island of Jersey. See how we rated the JGC.
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